Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is commonly produced under conditions where soil
water deficits frequently occur. Research was conducted at ten (10) site-years from 2005 to 2007 across
Nebraska where annual mean precipitation ranges from 350 to 900 mm year-1 to determine the effect of
row configuration and plant population on soil water distribution, water extraction patterns, crop water
use, and water use efficiency (WUE). Three row configurations including all rows planted (s0), alternate
rows planted (s1), and two rows planted alternated and two rows skipped (s2) were evaluated in a
complete factorial with two populations. Soil water content was measured to 1200 mm depth biweekly
with a neutron moisture meter. Total growing-season precipitation varied from 239 to 452 mm. Stored
soil water at physiological maturity with the skip-row configurations were 10 to 35 mm greater than s0
across site-years. Water use efficiency was higher with skip-row configurations at site-years with mean
growing-season precipitation < 2 mm day-1, and lower at site-years with mean growing-season daily
precipitation > 2.5 mm. Skip-row planting conserves water for the reproductive stages and enhances
WUE and yield when water deficits are relatively severe.

Description:

An article published by African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6(23), pp. 5328-5338, on 19 October 2011